On looking through his papers, recently, for something else, I came across the following piece of paper, which seems to have been found in Jimmy’s locker.

“James

I missed you this morning. I hate to ask but would it be possible to loan me £60. I am sure you will be saying I am making a habit of this, but I assure you I would not ask only I am stuck at the moment.

J…………….[redacted]

I will explain later”

I’ve redacted the author’s name but if he would like to make contact I’d welcome that.

Who knows what happened , but £60 almost forty years ago was not insubstantial and the writer had clearly been helped before.

Did the transaction complete before my dad was murdered by PIRA? I don’t know.

But it is something of the measure of the man.